death-stiffness

English

Alternative forms
  • death stiffness

Etymology

From death +‎ stiffness.

Noun

death-stiffness (uncountable)

  1. Temporary stiffness of the body's muscles and joints following death; rigor mortis.
    • 1869, The Student, and Intellectual Observer, volume 2, page 146:
      If the muscles of cold-blooded animals are heated to a temperature of 40° C, the " warmth-rigidity" (Wärmestarre), a condition very similar to death-stiffness, is superinduced. The cause of the death-stiffness and warmth-stiffness, is in the fact that certain fluid ingredients [...]
    • 1878, United States. Dept. of Agriculture, Report - Page 517:
      Before death stiffness occurs in the hind parts, generally in one hip or leg; the head and ears droop, and dullness and stupor are observed.
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